The Patriarch

The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy

By: David Nasaw

Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner

Length: 30 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Celebrated historian David Nasaw brings to life the story of Joseph Patrick Kennedy, in this, the first and only biography based on unrestricted and exclusive access to the Joseph P. Kennedy papers.

Joseph Patrick Kennedy - whose life spanned the First World War, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the Second World War, and the Cold War - was the patriarch of America’s greatest political dynasty. The father of President John F. Kennedy and Senators Robert and Edward Kennedy, 'Joe' Kennedy was an indomitable and elusive figure whose dreams of advancement for his nine children were matched only by his extraordinary personal ambition and shrewd financial skills. Trained as a banker, Kennedy was also a Hollywood mogul, a stock-exchange savant, a shipyard manager, the founding chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and ambassador to London during the Battle of Britain. Though his incredible life encompasses the very heart of the American century, Joseph Kennedy has remained shrouded in rumor and prejudice for decades.

Drawing on never-before-published material from archives on three continents, David Nasaw - the renowned biographer of Andrew Carnegie and William Randolph Hearst - unearths a man far more complicated than the popular portrait. Was Kennedy an appeaser and isolationist, an anti-Semite and Nazi sympathizer, a stock swindler, a bootlegger, and a colleague of mobsters? Did he push his second son into politics and then buy his elections for him? Why did he have his daughter Rosemary lobotomized? Why did he oppose the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Korean War, and American assistance to the French in Vietnam? What was his relationship to J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI? How did he influence his son’s politics and policies in the White House?

In this groundbreaking biography, Nasaw ignores the tired old answers surrounding Kennedy, starting from scratch to discover the truth behind this misunderstood man.

Though far from a saint, Joseph Kennedy in many ways exemplifies the best in American political, economic, and social life. His rags-to-riches story is one of exclusion and quiet discrimination overcome by entrepreneurship, ingenuity, and unshakable endurance. Kennedy’s story deserves to be told in full, with no holds barred, and Nasaw’s magnificent The Patriarch is the first book to do so.

©2012 David Nasaw (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of the New York Times' Ten Best Books of the Year

One of Kirkus' Best Nonfiction Books of the Year

"Riveting.... The Patriarch is a book hard to put down.... As his son indelibly put it some months before his father was struck down: 'Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your county.' One wonders what was going through the mind of the patriarch, sitting a few feet away listening to that soaring sentiment as a fourth-generation Kennedy became president of the United States. After coming to know him over the course of this brilliant, compelling book, the reader might suspect that he was thinking he had done more than enough for his country. But the gods would demand even more." (New York Times Book Review)

Entertaining and well worth the listen

Where does The Patriarch rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would rank it right near the top with Steve Jobs Biography.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Patriarch?

The entire portion of the book related to the beginning of World War II when Joe Kennedy was Ambassador to England.

Have you listened to any of Malcolm Hillgartner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Nothing extreme, but a very satisfied listening experience.

Any additional comments?

No

Who Knew!

So much revealed that I would never have known. Joe Kennedy was a fascinatingly complex man. Occasionally right, often wrong, but very sure either way. Fascinating!

An honest depiction.

I’m glad they included all the bad with the good. Kudos to the Kennedy descendants for allowing so. It was amazing to learn how Rose and Joe spent so much time apart.

Terrific Book About a Complex Man

I’ve read many books about the Kennedys over the years, but had never before read one focused on Joseph P. Kennedy. What a life this man led and what a complicated person he was: serial adulterer, involved and loving father, high-powered businessman, outstanding administrator, pessimist about everything but his children’s abilities and future, etc. He was in the thick of things in Hollywood’s early years, then pivoted to public service with many interesting jobs before and after. I thought this story was well told and the gentleman reading the story was top notch. I highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to learn more about a highly consequential father raising a brood of highly consequential American leaders.

Worthwhile read

Interesting to learn detail of Joseph Kennedy life . Provides much insight into history of the pre and Depression ;WWll in particular. Mr Kennedy was an iconic man as an engaged player in America business and politics. Well written/ entertaining

Highly recommend

Remarkable account of Kennedy’s life, family, pursuit of wealth, and business maneuverings! Whether you are fan or his or not, this is a great read!

Engrossing!

I loved the level of detail and phenomenal storytelling. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the scion of the storied Kennedy Family.

brilliant biography and history

This long and detailed biography of the patriarch of one of America's most famous families takes a listener into many fascinating segments of 20th century history. Along the way, a listener becomes familiear not only with the Kennedy family and children, but with other 20th century luminaries such as Gloria Swanson and, most brilliantly, FDR and his entourage. Many myths about the patriarch are dispelled and unknown facets of his life and those with whom he interacted are elucidated. The section during which Joseph P. was Ambassador to Great Britain is brilliantly told, tremendously gripping, and always shadowed by the listener's knowledge of the fate of the patriarch's oldest son. Wonderfully narrated even if the assumed accents are occasionally annoying. HIGHLY recommended for anyone interested in 20th century history.

Nasaw and Hillgartner at their very best.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Patriarch to be better than the print version?

I loved this book but then I'm a history junkie. Didn't hurt that I have read biographies on FDR and Truman as well. Long but then I didn't want it to end. Nasaw dispelled some of the Joe Kennedy myths for me and now I am even more impressed with this incredibly productive man and his family. Additionally, Hillgartner's reading was excellent. Loved the accents.

Joseph P Kennedy, American Partriot

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Highly reccomend THIS BOOK.

This is a most powerful book.
Until I listened to The Patriarch, I was not a Kennedy fan. I had always head he had mob connections but after hearing this book I believe they were but jealous lies. In his time perhaps he would have been a better President. I wish the book had written sooner.

Joseph P Kennedy is an American Patriot. His detractors are just that, detractors.

The performance was flawlessly executed. Well worth the time spent listening.